The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has announced an emergency energy assistance program available to needy families throughout California. This program is a one-time energy assistance program sponsored by the four major utilities companies which include Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG &E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE), and Southern California Gas Company (So- CalGas).

This program will be administered through The Salvation Army (TSA) offices statewide with funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Contingency Fund

ECF) and utility company funds. Those eligible families facing utility disconnection may receive an energy credit up to $1,500 per household based on the total past due amount of their bill. This emergency program is designed to provide assistance that will prevent the disconnection of utilities for needy families including California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program recipients and families whose income is less than 200 percent of the official federal poverty level based on family size.